Buddy Franklin’s fitness focus and improved mindset for 2016

He’s the fittest he’s been since arriving at the Swans and now Buddy Franklin has his sights set on a huge start to season 2016.

But after sitting out last years AFL Finals due to mental illness, Franklin’s peak physical state isn’t just about preparing him to explode onto the scene when his season kicks off this Saturday against Collingwood.

“For me when I'm training hard and playing hard it definitely helps my mindset,” the dual premiership winner told Men’s Health.

“I absolutely love getting out there and training and being with my friends.

“It's about being happy and healthy and living a healthy lifestyle and doing whatever works for you to get yourself right to play football as best you can.”

Related: Collingwood's pre-season swimming focus

The 29-year-old full forward also revealed where his focus has been over a pre-season that he described as “really strong for everyone” at the Swans.

“My focus this year is to get stronger in my legs,” he said.

“So this pre-season that's what I've really focused on, and I've had sore knees in the past so it's been all about strengthening my legs so I can get through the season.”

And those legs have already been given a stern test, ever before Round One, with Franklin and his Swans teammates having just completed a painful pre-season, featuring “four or five months of running.”

“The hardest thing about pre-season is always the running,” the 198 centimetre star said.

“That's always the most difficult part I think any footballer would say that.”

After that stern test, Buddy pinpointed two emerging stars to have a big impact on the upcoming season.

“We've got a number of young fellas coming through, but Callum Mills is in his first year and looks to be a really good player and we've also got Isaac Heeney through the Sydney academy,” he said.

“Those two look like they'll be really good players for the Swans for a number of years and I can't wait to get out there with them this year.”

But before stepping out in the red and white of the Swans, Franklin featured in front of the camera for the 2016 Winter campaign of Menswear brand Politix.

“Being at the football club we do wear club suits so when we do get the opportunity to wear another suit it's something I like doing,” Franklin said.

“I think everyone likes to dress up and feel good about themselves and look the part.

“The biggest thing for me is that when I wear a suit I want to wear a suit that's tailored to my body.

“I'm a bit bigger than the average bloke so I just need a tailored suit.”

And Buddy’s fashion advice to other men?

“To just feel comfortable in whatever you want to wear, just feel comfortable and feel good.”